Ore classifying and separating apparatus



L. H. FALLEY.

O RE CLASSIFYING AND SEPARATING APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED juLY2.1913.

1 ,307,626. Patented J 1111624, 1919.

/ INVENTOR.

WITNESS.

m: mmms PEYERS 0a., PHOlu-LITHQ. WASHmcmN A L. H. FALLEY.

ORE CLASSIFYING AND SEPARATING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 2.1918.

' 1 07,626. Patented June 24, 1919.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

WITNESS.

IN-VENTOR.

ms NpRms ws zas 20.. PNUTU-LI7HO.. WAsmm: mu, uv c.

LEWIS I-I. FALLEY, OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI.

ORE CLASSIFYING AND SEPARATING APPARATUSV Specification of LettersPatent. Patented J une 24, 1919.

Application filed July 2, 19-18. Serial no. 243,055.

1 b all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LEWIS H. FALLnY, a citizen of the United States,residing at Kansas City, in the county of Jackson, State of Missouri,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ore Classifying andSeparating Apparatus, of which the following is a full specification.

The present invention relates to apparatus for use in mining operationsfor the classification and separation of various ores from chats ortailings.

One of the objects in view is to devise an improved apparatus utilizinga water flow charged with the ore particles and so controlled as todeposit the particles of ore according to their proper classification atintervals during the course of the flow through the apparatus.

To this end, the invention comprises an apparatus composed of one ormore settling tanks through which the course of the orecharged water is,by improved means, so controlled and directed, and the rate of flow soregulated, that the ore particles are divided out and separated anddischarged therefrom according to the classification desired. Thisimproved means comprises a certain novel partition and balile structurefor subdividing the tanks into compartments of proper proportions andacting to break up and direct the water flow in the required manner,together with auxiliary water supply means whereby the character of thewater flow and separating action may be further regulated. I b

It is also sought to devise a simple and economical construction of thecharacter described, which may be cheaply manufactured and alsoinstalled and operated at a minimum of expense. 2

With these general objects in view, as well as minor objects which willappear in the course of the detailed specification, the invention willnow be described with reference to the accompanying drawingsillustrating one form of construction which has been devised forembodying the proposed improvements, after which the novel featurestherein will be set forth and defined in the appended claims.

In the drawings- Figu're l is a central longitudinal vertical sectionshowing an ,apparatus constructed in accordance with the presentnventien;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same;

Figs. 3 and 4 are broken vertical sectional views, on an enlarged scale,taken on the lines 3-3 and H, respectively, of Fig. 1;

'Fig. 5 is a transverse section taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1, andalso on an enlarged scale and Fig. 6 is a detail section taken on theline 6-6 of Fig. 5, and on a still larger scale.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the

apparatus is shown as comprising a plurality of settling tanks, 8, 10,12, 14 and 16, gradually increasing in area of cross-sea tlon 1n theorder given, these tanks being constructed of any suitable material,such than the upfiow compartments. The partitions20 are preferablyconstructed of sheet metal, and of approximately V-shape, with theirside edges mounted slidingly in guides 22. Each partition is formed atits lower end with a passage 2e allowing communication between thecompartments of each tank, and the partitions of the tanks 8, 10 and 12are further formed with one or more openings 26 above the opening 24:for providing communication between said compartments at differentelevations above said opening 24.

Associated with each opening 26 is a deflecting element 28 arranged toimpart a direct upward flow to the water immediately after entering theupflow compartment through said opening, said deflecting element beingformed as a part of a bafiie member 30 intersecting the lower margin ofthe opening 26 and extending transversely of the tank and at a downwardincline to approximately the middlethereof. The bafile members 30 aresecured to their corresponding partitions 20 (as by soldering) and serveto support said partitions adjustably within the tank, for which purposethe members 30 are carried by pins 32 adj ustably mounted in a series ofsockets 30 provided therefor in the side walls'of the tanks (see Fig.4).- At-saehzof-the openings QQQissnpporte'd ported on the adjacentdeflecting member 30, and the upper end of each member 36 is adjustablysupported 011 pins 32 for each of which also a plurality of sockets 34are provided in the side walls ofthe tank. Each deflecting member 36thus cooperates with one of the baflie members 30 to form a transversepartition across the larger compartment of the tank. The battle ordeflecting members 36 are of generalV-shape in crosssection (see Fig.4)' gradually approaching a straight line at their lower ends, and theangle in each member 36 is formed with a plurality of openings 38varying indiameter as clearly shown in Fig. 5. At the base of eachpartition 20 is provided a transverse partition 36, similar to themembers 36, but extending entirely across the tank and beneaththepartition 20, said partition 36 being supported at both its ends bymeans of the pins 32 adjustably mounted in sockets 34. Preferably saidpartition 36 is provided with only one of the openings 38, adjacent theopening 24, while the lower corners of said partition are cut away toprovide-the passages 40, as illustrated in Fig. 2, communicating withthe lower or hopper portion of the tank.

. An auxiliary water supply connection 42 is located in position to feedwater into the compartment 8 of the tank 8, and a second water supplypipe 44 is located in position to feed an auxiliary supply of water, asneeded, into the lower hopper portion of said tank, each of said supplyconnections being provided with a suitable regulating valve 46.

The sludge or ore-charged water is discharged into the compartment 8"from a chute or trough 48 or the like, and similar chutes or troughs 50are arranged tocarry the overflow from the compartment 8 to thecompartment 10 and from the compart: ment 10 to the compartment 12. Theoverflow is discharged from the compartments 12 and 14" simply by meansof notch passages 52 cut in the dividing walls of the tanks.

The overflow from the tank 14 is merely compelled to follow a zigzagcourse up and down around a seriesof vertical partitions in the tank 16,the water passing through passages 53 under a pair of partitions 54, andover an intermediate partition 56, which latter is also provided with abottom opening 58 (see Fig. 1) permitting some of the ore' particlesalready deposited to reach the discharge outlet 18 from the tank 16. Thefinalqdischarge of the waste and-surplus .water takes place by way of adischarge or pond.

In the'operation of the apparatus, the oretrough 60 which delivers tothe tailings pile carrying water is received into the larger thesuspended ore particles constantly moving and thereby facilitating theseparating out of the same at the proper intervals. At differentelevations within the compartment 8 a part of the flow is bypassedthrough the openings 26 into the smaller compartment 8", and thedeflecting elements 28 insure that such flow is given an immediateupward movement on entering said compartment. Such bypassed portions ofthe water flow of course carry off the lighter particles of the ore insuspension, and the balance of the main current or flow is turnedbackward at the' bottom of the tank and up through the passage 24 intosaid smaller compartment 8. This upward flow of the main body of thecurrent is so regulated that the heavier or coarser particles willsettle back upon the partition 36 and through the same into the bottomof the tank 8, while most of the lighter particles will be carriedupward through the smaller compartment 8 and on into the remaining tanksfor further classification. Additional water may be admitted through theconnections 42 and 44 at the top and bottom of the tank, as required,for the further regulation of the water current and the separatingaction being effected thereby.

It is apparent that a quicker flow takes placerin passing upward back ofthe partition 20 and no opportunity is afl'orded for c any materialdeposits of the particles within the smaller compartment, but 'onpassing into the tank 10, a further separating action is at once startedand carried out in practically the same manner as in the tank 8; anadditional factor, however, lies in the fact that the tank 10 is ofgreater crosssectional area than the tank 8 so that the rate of waterflow is correspondingly diminished, which check ofthe current in its lfenhances the separating action of the tank 10. Otherwise .the action ofthe tanks 10, 12 and 14, is in general but a prolonging of the sameeffect as is produced by the first tank 8. 'The function of the tank 16will be readily understood, the separation taking place'principally byordinary precipitation which is assisted by the slow upward floweffected and collected at the base of the middle compartment, whence itis withdrawn by way of the outlet 18, the waste being discharged fromsaid tank over the trough 60.

It will thus be seen that a simple and efiicient arrangement andconstruction of apparatus have been devised for carrying out the desiredobjects of the invention. A more perfect classification is obtained bythe improved construction as well as a more constant feed to thecollecting tables, it being seen that a more continuous separatingaction is effected by said improved construction by reason of the factthat a constant mild agitation is present throughout the downflow of thewater and at the same time parts of the flow containing the lighter oreparticles are being continually removed or bypassed away from the mainflow without passing to the bottom of each tank and interfering with orlessening the effectiveness of the further separating actiontherein. Anincrease in effectiveness is also obtained by the provision of theauxiliary water supply connections whereby perfect control of the entirewater flow is secured by increasing or diminishing the water supply ateither the feed or discharge end of the tank, as required; obviouslythis auxiliary water supply may be applied to each tank of the apparatusunder any conditions rendering the same advisable.

By adjusting the relative elevations of the partition structures, or theparts thereof, by means of the adjustment of the supporting pins 34:, astill further regulation of the separating action may be obtained. It isalso possible to regulate the upward flow through the smallercompartments by the mere insertion, if desired, of a piece or section ofsolid material (none being shown) whereby a reduction in thecross-section of such-compartment is readily effected.

Thus by means of the improved construction a more perfect control andregulation of the classification, 2'. 6., an increased flexibility andrange of classification, is made possible, and moreover,sub-classifications may be secured from each primary classification bysimply feeding the same, by gravity, to an apparatus of smaller size.

It is further apparent that the improved apparatus requires no directapplication of power for its operation, nor the use of any screenswhatsoever, and also that a minimum supply of water from the mine pumpswill be required.

A further feature of advantage lies in the fact that the construction issuch as to make the interior of the tanks readily accessible foradjustment or removal or renewal of any of the parts therein.

While I have described and illustrated what is now deemed to representthe preferred form of embodiment of the improvements, I desire toexpressly reserve the right to make such formal changes or modificationsas may fairly fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Having described the invention, what I claim is:

1. An ore separating and classifying apparatus comprising a settlingtank, and a partition dividing said tank into a downflow settllngcompartment and an upfiow settling compartment having an outlet at itsupper end, said partition having a plurality of openings at differentelevations for providing communication between said compartments, anddeflecting elements associated with said openings and having downwardlyinclined portions extending into the downflow compartment andapproximately vertical portions projecting upward in said upfiowcompartment-1n posltion to produce an immediate vertical fiow of thematerial on entering the latter compartment.

2. An ore separating and classifying apparatus comprising'a settlingtank, a partition dividing said tank into a downflow settlingcompartment and an upflow settling compartment having an outlet at itsupper end, said partition having a plurality of openings at differentelevations for providing communication between said compartments, anddeflecting elements supporting said partition within said tank, saidelements being associated with said openings in position to produce animmediate vertical flow of the material on entering said upflowcompartment.

3. An ore separating and classifying apparatus comprising a settlingtank provided with means for maintaining a constant downflow of.theore-carrying material therethrough, and an inclined transverse partitionwithin said tank, said partition being provided with a plurality ofopenings of different sizes producing unequal rates of flow through saidpartition.

4:. An ore separating and classifying apparatus comprising a settlingtank, a partition dividing said 'tank into a downflow compartment and anupfiow compartment having an outlet at its upper end, said partitionhaving a communicating passage at its lower end between saidcompartments and also an opening intermediate ,its ends providingcommunication between said compartments, and a perforated transversepartition in said downflow compartment extending on an incline downwardto the lower margin of said opening.

5. An ore separating and classifying apparatus comprisin a settlingtank, a partition dividing said tank into a downflow settlingcompartment and an upfiow settling compartment having an outlet at itsupper end, said partition having a plurality of paratus comprising asettling tank, a-;partition dividing said tank into a downflowcompartment and an. upflow compartment having an outlet at its upperend, said partition having a communicating passage at its lower'endbetween said compartments and also an opening intermediate its endsproviding communication between said compartments, a perforatedtransverse partition in said downflow compartment extending on anincline downward to the lower margin'of said opening-and means providingfor vertical adjustment of. said. partitions within said tank. P

7. An-ore separating and classifying ap paratus comprising a series ofsettling. tanks, said tanks being. of successively increasingcrosssectional area, each of said tanks being provided with a partitiondividing the same into a downflow settling compartment and an upflowsettling compartment communi cating at theirlower ends at some distanceabove the bottom. of: the tank, said upflow compartments being all ofsubstantially the same cross-sectional area and each upflow compartmentbeing provided with an over flow into the downflow compartment of thenext succeeding tank of larger cross-see tional area.

In witness whereof I hereto afiixmy signature.

LEWIS n. FALLEY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C.

